x
  
  
Posted: 4/21/22

TAMIU, UTHealth Offer Summer STEM Immersion Experience

 

Dr. Cindy Salazar-Collier
Dr. Cindy Lynn Salazar-Collier  

Local rising high school juniors or seniors can “D.I.A.L.L.” up a STEM immersion experience at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) this summer with a week-long opportunity hosted by TAMIU and the University of Texas Health Science Center of Houston School of Biomedical Informatics (UTHealth SBMI).

The Development of Informatics Accelerated Learning in Laredo (D.I.A.L.L.)  STEM Immersion Experience is limited to 20 students and free of charge, said organizer Dr. Cindy Lynn Salazar-Collier, TAMIU assistant professor of Public Health with the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

“We’ve been fortunate to have this program generously funded by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Accelerated Credentials of Purpose and Value Grant Program and are looking forward to providing our students with a remarkable immersion experience.  Our partnership with UTHealth SBMI will provide a rich and robust student experience,” Dr.  Salazar-Collier said.

She said the D.I.A.L.L. program offers insight into a dynamic STEM area, biomedical informatics. 

“This opportunity is for students familiar with or wanting to learn more about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) or STEM-related or adjacent fields such as business. The STEM Immersion Experience allows for the exploration of how such fields integrate biomedical informatics.  While at the Experience students will also learn of the 4+1 graduate certificate and accelerated master’s program made available at TAMIU in partnership with UTHealth SBMI.

“Briefly, biomedical informatics looks at the science of how to use data, information, and knowledge to improve human health and health care services delivery.  For a contemporary example, we have to look no further than the crucial role that data and its understanding helped to drive the global response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Biomedical informatics is a dynamic field with new, high-paying career options,” Salazar-Collier explained.

She provided an overview of the summer program.

“The D.I.A.L.L. STEM Immersion Experience will be held June 13 – 17 on the TAMIU campus and will meet daily from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Educational materials will be provided, as will a nutritious lunch. Upon completion, program participants will earn a Certificate of Completion.  Students will be responsible for their transportation to and from the Experience,” Salazar-Collier noted.

Deadline to apply for admission is Friday, May 20, 2022.  An online application is available at go.tamiu.edu/diall.  Questions or comments can be directed to Dr. Salazar-Collier at Cindy.Collier@tamiu.edu

More University news and information is also available online at tamiu.edu and on its social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.